Prostaglandin metabolites and receptor density of platelet glycoprotein IIb-IIIa complex in coronary heart disease

Abstract

The plasma levels of thromboxane B₂ (TXB₂) and 6-keto prostaglandin F-1α (6-PGF), stable metabolites of thromboxane A₂ and prostacyclin respectively, were measured in 23 patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) and 20 healthy subjects who served as controls. The receptor density of glycoprotein (GP) IIb-IIIa complex was determined by an indirect inhibition assay. The mean levels of both TXB₂ and 6-PGF were elevated in patients with CHD as compared with controls, the rise being statistically significant in case of 6-PGF (p<0.02), probably resulting from increased biosynthesis of prostacyclin. The receptor density of GP IIb-IIIa complex was enhanced in patients with CHD (p<0.0001). There was a statistically significant positive correlation between TXB₂ and receptor density of GP IIb-IIIa in controls (p<0.05), probably indicating their pro-aggregator roles.